Key Techniques for Mixing Songs

The objective of this mini-course is to give the viewer a better fundamental understanding of basic mixing concepts and techniques. We will use a project with many tracks (essentially an unmixed song) and begin by discussing gain staging and techniques for establishing a good volume balance between tracks (while maintaining a good amount of headroom on the master channel). From there we will discuss grouping tracks, subtractive EQing, panning, effective ways to control dynamics such as compression, and insert effects versus send effects. By the conclusion of this course the viewer will have a much better understanding of how to properly approach mixing their own music.

Lessons topics include:

Gain Staging

Grouping Tracks and Busses

Volume Balancing

Panning

Subtractive Equalizing

Dynamics

Insert Effects vs. Send Effects

Your Instructor

Thavius Beck

Thavius Beck is an electronic musician, producer and performer that's worked with countless musicians including Nine Inch Nails, Skylar Grey, Saul Williams, The Mars Volta and many more. Thavius is an Ableton Live Certified Trainer and has instructed hundreds of Live students through teaching courses at several music institutes, giving one-on-one lessons and holding dozens of Ableton Live workshops throughout the country.